Western Powers Insist on Strengthening Sanctions against Iran

Paris, Jan 3. -The French government on Tuesday insisted on strengthening sanctions against Iran, even though the Persian country warned it will close the Strait of Hormuz if the United States and the European Union apply punitive measures against its exports.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe announced that the government is considering freezing the assets of the Central Bank of Iran and imposing an embargo on oil exports.

According to Juppé, there are no doubts that Tehran continues its program of manufacturing the atomic bomb, in spite of Iran having repeatedly insisted that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.

The French Foreign Minister expressed his support for the European Union to follow the steps of the United States, and adopt sanctions against Iran before January 30.

According to Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi, the Iranian government will not allow the passage of a single drop of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, if Washington and the EU apply sanctions against its oil exports. (Prensa Latina)